liz asks about lemon verbena



liz asks: It's not a vegetable but I'd love any tips for an overabundance of lemon verbena. It is threatening to take over the lawn, and we only have a tiny garden. It has already eaten two footballs...

clementine's says: right off the top of my head...why not make some sun/ice tea and add the lemon verbena in with the tea bags or just brew it with the lemon verbena and some citrus peels? or make a homemade infused vinegar or...infused vodka with it? or a lemon verbena simple syrup to add to cocktails or sparkling water? oh, lemon verbena scones?!? you could make a double batch and freeze them.  also, how about chopping some up and throwing it into your salads to add some flavor and brightness. or drying it and making a fragrant wreath/flower arrangement.

to infuse vinegar: go here.
to infuse vodka: go here.
to make sun tea + simple syrup: go here.
to make scones: go here.

clementine's asks: what do you think liz should do with her aggressive lemon verbena?

garden updates



our garden is becoming very bountiful these days.  the eggplant, zucchini, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, onions, peppers, chard, kale, collards, green beans, potatoes, and herbs have been providing pretty regularly these past couple of weeks.  it is really great because we have been able to share with our family and friends and still have plenty.  i hope the regular summer temps hold so that i can {comfortably} get some canning done this week.  i realized that i did not feature a garden last week, so while hendrix and i are on an adventure today, i will track an awesome garden down for {garden}REVOLUTION.  in the meantime, do have an overabundance of veggies in your garden or did you get something new in your co-op that you need to some cooking tips for?  email me at clementinespandp@gmail.com, leave a comment on this blog, or on facebook.  i'll send you some of my best ideas and we can share them with everyone right here.  i was lucky enough to work for almost three years in a restaurant where everything was made from scratch and seasonal ingredients...and the cooks were generous with their knowledge.  not everyone is, so let's all share our knowledge and tried & true tips.

garden{REVOLUTION}::four



parsley, rosemary, oregano

where: my aunt theresa's backyard in omaha, ne

awesomeness: hendrix and i put together this little herb box for his aunt tree-cee on mother's day. she moved into a beautiful home with beautifully landscaped flower gardens, but there is really no place for veggies.  she loves to cook with herbs for the extra flavor and their ability to eliminate the need for added salt.  we try to give her a ton of veggies and herbs during the growing season, but this allows her to have herbs ready at her back door.  this is a great example of how even growing a bit of food can really elevate your cooking and save you bucks.  by growing her own herbs, aunt theresa isn't forced to buy those $3 clamshells of fresh herbs at the grocery store every time she wants to add flavor to her cooking.  even better...she knows right where those herbs came from. and that is awesome.

....

garden{REVOLTION}:: one, two, three

if you are thinking about adding a garden to your yard or are wanting to get into container gardening, remember that clementine's offers consultations and garden prep.  consultations start at $40, email clementinespandp@gmail for more info.  now is the perfect time to start planning your fall gardens. 



{garden}REVOLUTION::two

where: andrea's in papillion, ne
awesomeness: this one blue barrel is growing potatoes, onions, kale, lettuce spinach, and herbs.
pretty awesome for a first timer!

....

you can learn more about our blue barrels by emailing us at clementinespandp@gmail.com.  they are prolific producers, virtually maintenance free, and allow folks to  grow their own food in a relatively small space.



{garden}REVOLUTION:: one

where: stella's burger joint in bellevue ne
awesomeness: see that barrel in the middle? tubes split up and run through the raised beds in a square foot garden style grid.  it created a grid for planting and watering (soaker hose style).  awesome.

.....
have you noticed a revolution happening, friends?  there's a gardening revolution happening.  look around.  raised beds popping up, overfilled with greens and tomato plants.  pots on balconies filled with herbs.  blue barrels growing herbs, peas, and greens.  people are taking back their yards, balconies, and windows....they are growing food.  i'm keeping my eyes peeled and snapping photos.  every week, i'll feature the photos. want to see your garden here? invite me over! want to start a garden? email us at clementinespandp@gmail.com.

things i love this week

i will be installing a pallet herb garden and tomatoes at my brother's place today.  this is his family's first foray into edible gardening.  i really enjoy doing these sort of projects with first time gardeners.  although, it is getting late in the season, don't forget that clementine's can help you with your fall garden later this season or help get you started next year.  email us at clementinespandp@gmail.com.
.....
this week has been such a great week of discovery....here are some of the things & people i love this week.

• the new blog for parents wanting to feed their babies well: fueling super heros
• local abundance supports a general economy...go to the plant exchange, BIG DIG GIG, at the union for contemporary art.
• mark bittman's tedX talk. word, mark. word.
• oh darling a {mom + baby} boutique is carrying original and unique refinished furniture.  check them out not only for prego clothes and baby gifts but to decorate your home!
• speaking of homes and parents....best family + design blog i have found in a long time.  dos family.
• june is operation sandbox building and tire swing hanging time.  i am using this one for inspiration.
• meal planning via the garden and farmer's markets
• lemonade stand at olive us tv
• this blog post sums up why i heart the HMC so much.

....
here are this week's blog posts in case you missed them:
spring photos around the farm
preserve spring through canning, freezer cooking, jams, and more
meal plan using spring's bounty

new projects + things to share

howdy! what a beautiful monday it is at the farm.  we spent the weekend celebrating the end of planting season for mike, taking a sunday car ride, visiting grandma, and trying to find the home of a dog that showed up on our doorstep.  i'm going to work in the garden today and tend to a sick cat.  just wanted to tell you about a couple of things....

check us out on twitter: @clementinepandp

follow the sayings and antics of hendrix: @HendrixtheKid

the super inspiring, ashley english, (yes, THE ashley english who has the column at design sponge) linked to a post of ours from her blog.  i was so flattered!!

did you see the shop truck article? gabrielle from design mom featured it last week. she also linked to us, too!

olive us...super cute new show.  last week was about gardening.

you all should make this rueben bake. immediately.  it is so good.
.....

look at what we've been working on....
his cousin and my super mom friend, andrea, has a garden for the first time this year.  so far that garden has supplied the some of goods for a zuppa toscana soup and herbed grilled chicken with herby garlic bread.

filling the growing barrels

what do you think? would you like to grow edible treats in your yard or on your deck too?  if you already are...what are you growing??

planting herbs & greens with romy

we're working on perfecting these and the heart ministry center's community garden also has some up.  we're also working on different styles and options.  stay tuned....

bountiful growing barrels, raised bed built and planted, gate put up
clementine's p+p helped andrea till and build her raised beds, as well as, set up her growing barrels

virtual gardening clinic:: what ya'll should be doing and planting

in putting these virtual clinics on, i am assuming that the majority of the reading audience are novice or pseudo-novice gardeners.  if my assuming makes an ass out of you and me...sorry.  i am also not covering every vegetable on the planet.  just the ones gardeners in zone 5 mostly grow.
the early warm weather and above normal soil temps has a lot of people scrambling this year.  but, you know what? we can all relax.  if you are new to gardening i firmly believe the best way to set yourself up for success is do what you can with starter plants.  starter plants won't be available at most nurseries for a few weeks, at least.  any nightshade plants, squash, melons, etc.  are at risk of frost anytime before mother's day. i know this weather is making us all excited, though, so let's talk about what you all CAN be doing and planting.

getting the garden ready....
mike tilled 5 garden plots this weekend.  he tilled in compost in almost all of them.  this is the time, if you haven't already, to get those gardens prepped for planting.  if you are doing raised gardens...get them dug, add compost (if needed), till, and build.  decide what sort of fencing you need based on what the critter situation is in your area.  it seems overwhelming to do all the planning and physical labor now, but it will save you time and heartache in the long run.  i made the great decision {for the first time EVER} to add a bit of compost, dig up, and cover my raised gardens with hay last fall. as a result, my kale overwintered and it was super simple to remove the hay and plant this year. 
chicken wire, lumber, stakes, deck screws, a drill, and staple gun can make some major things happen.  if you are doing containers....get them now and fill them up.  most hardware stores and nurseries are stocking the soil needed for growing veggies in containers now. 

getting your seed and starting seed....
some veggies have to or really should grow from seeds.  roots:  carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, and parsnips are some of those veggies.  some say peas and cukes are the same way.  i have had success starting peas and cukes and then transplanting them.  and for container gardeners...this is really the only way.  so right now the soil temp is about 56 degrees meaning that you can plant those root veggie, peas, and greens seeds directly in the ground.  if you haven't bought any seed, but want to grow some of these...now is the time to buy them.  if you have bought them and want to try to start them indoors before planting in a container...now is the time for the peas and greens.  root veggies should be directly planted in the ground.  the warmer veggie seeds like cukes, tomatoes, green beans, eggplant, okra, & peppers can be put in seed trays in a week or two.  even though the weather and soil are warm, i am still subscribing to the "wait until after mother's day" rule for planting these outside.  i have been burned one too many times by hail and frost when i was a little too eager.

if you garden is prepped and ready to go....
if you have a prepped garden or containers and some experience {or a sense of adventure} go ahead and plant the following from seed: swiss chard, kale, lettuces, collards, turnips, carrots, radishes, beets, parsnips, arugula, spinach, peas, onions, potatoes, and broccoli.  broccoli can be fickle when started from seed and not a plant, but it is possible. as a rule, i have found a lot of the brassicas to be fickle but it can be done...the cabbage needs warmer weather and the brussels need long stretches of cool weather {and i would only do a starter plant with these} the rest of these in a properly prepped garden with loose, rich soil should take right off.

here is some more information on what can be planted now....

GREENS
(cooking + salad: lettuces, kale, collards, chard, mesculans, spinach, arugula, etc.)
these can typically be planted in early spring and fall. some like collards, kale, and chard are pretty heat tolerant and will produce most of the growing season. others like arugula, spinach, and lettuces will bolt &/or burn when it gets too hot. some varieties, like spinach, come in a heat tolerant hybrid. i prefer planting greens in containers or raised beds because weeding them can be time intensive when planted in rows the traditional way. however, if you do choose to have a traditional garden then do not forgo planting in straight lines using stakes and twine. this will make hoeing and hand weeding easier. kale, collards, chard, arugula, and spinach are big producers since you can just harvest the outer leaves as needed. most lettuces like buttercrunch and frisee require harvesting the whole head. 4 - 8 hours of direct sun is needed daily, water at least 3 times a week, for most: expect a crop in about 35-60 days, cooking greens can be washed and frozen. all grow well and easily from seed however starter plants are a great was to set a first time gardener up for success.

ROOTS
roots like carrots, radishes, beets, and parsnips need very deep and loose dirt. containers can work, but i like raised beds best and they allow you to really pack them in. if going with a traditional garden do plant in very straight rows to help make weeding easier. not big producers (what you plant is what you get) so if you are planting to store them or love them than do succession planting. plant rows every week during the planting season. early spring and grow. roots produce in 35-65 days typically depending on variety. beets and radishes tolerate part shade. beet and radish greens are edible and delicious. carrots and parsnips need lots of sun. water at least 3 times a week. pickling and canning work great for carrots, beets, and radishes. carrots can easily be frozen, as well. root cellar storage is great for all root varieties.

BRASSICAS
these brassicas: cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi, and brussel sprouts
grow best in the ground since they take awhile to grow, need room, and can become too heavy (i.e. cabbage) for a container. early sping is the time for them to be planted. doing a raised bed is also recommended. raised bed will also allow you to till deep for root brassicas like rutabagas and turnips. brassicas are not typically big producers. cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, and brussel sprouts starter plants are recommend. need 6-8 hrs direct sun. water at least 3 times a week. almost all can be frozen except cabbage. cabbage is wonderful pickled.

PEAS
sugar snap peas grow great in containers or raised beds.  either way plan on training them up a trellis or cage of some sort.  if they lay on themselves they begin to rot and stop producing.  they are super prolific.  they love cool weather, so plant in early spring.  they will tolerate a bit of frost. full sun is needed and water at least three times a week.  can be frozen.

ONIONS
onions grow best in traditional ground gardens or raised beds.  spring is a good time to plant them.  they do not store well, but can be using in canning and i have had success freezing.  they also make good pest deterrents, so feel free to plant among other veggie and flower plants to deter critters from having a snack at your garden. do not over water.  full sun needed.

POTATOES
potatoes grow best in barrels, containers, or tires because weeding them is very time intensive.  do not over water.  store very well in a root cellar.  fun to grow in containers and nothing is quite as delicious as a homegrown potato. full sun needed.

.....
if you need help getting your garden planned or prepped, contact us for consulting, compost, or tilling.  in any case, i really hope you choose to grow some food this year.  it is so fulfilling and very possible for everyone. happy planting, friends.

catch up::prep

spring cleaning + organizing, beautiful weather, garden prep + planting, three year old birthdays, and time with my {baby}boy won out, my friends.  sorry, dudes.  i'm back.  i swear.

it is garden and rain barrel time!!

here's what i HAVE to tell you....

tilling: mike is quickly becoming booked, but for $50 (up to 500 sq. ft) mike will come till your garden with our commercial tiller.  tilling is a must for your traditional, in ground garden, to prepare the space for your new boxed, raised garden, or to work the ground of your raised dirt garden. email us to schedule a time.

compost:  $40 for 1/2 a pick up load.  mike can also till this into your garden if you book him for till job.  contact us for smaller or larger purchases.  this compost is black gold and will make your garden glorious.  great for containers, as well.

rain barrels:  check out our craigslist post for more info., the basic info is that these are brand new barrels with a garden hose spigot and are ready to go.  these are a great way to reuse water...so great we are putting one in at our rental property.

all natural, pest control:  we have 50 lb bags of diatomaceous earth available and duster applicators available, as well.  DE is an all natural way to treat those little buggies in the garden that won't bug off..pun intended.  read more here.  check out our craigslist posting.  the great thing about buying from us is that if you are in the omah area, no shipping!!

virtual gardening clinic: i'll be back.  i promise.  in the meantime, if you are semi experienced and ready to go...now is the time for collards, radishes, beets, asparagus crowns, onion sets, peas, spinach, & turnips to be planted.  (i know what i am doing when i get done writing this post!)  if you are not ready...no worries!!! you still of plenty of time.  we'll talk more later this week.

container gardening:  mike and i have been working on some awesome, {almost} completely maintenance free, container gardening set ups.  we have some around town that are going to be planted very soon...i will get some pictures very soon.  these are great ways for kids, busy people, people short on space, and handicapped folks to grow produce.  you can grow greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, peas, some root veggies, potatoes, and summer squash.  in fact, this year we will be growing quite a bit of own produce this way.  it will be easy for hendrix and easy for me if i am lucky enough to grow a baby this year, too.  pictures and details soon!!

consulting:  businesses and home gardeners, if you are wanting help with planning your garden or setting up your compost system please contact us.  initial consults are $40 and tailored to fit your needs.  i am becoming booked, but have time slots available.

community:  remember the heart ministry center when planting your gardens...plant extra and make a weekly donation to the food pantry.  fresh produce should not be a luxury.  also, did you know that the heart ministry center has a community garden??  perhaps plan to volunteer one afternoon there.  you will see our containers there, too.  we will be planting lots of herbs and greens in them making more room in the garden for other goodies.
.....
again, my apologies for a delay in posting.  frankly, i have been enjoying my time with hendrix and not having to rush to get things done like i had to last year.  this reaffirms our decision to not do the veg box this year.  i also have been percolating LOTS of ideas in my head.  so while i work those out...you may see lags in posting.  i will be back later this week with a clinic.  thanks!

virtual gardening clinic: what's the plan, stan?

it's FRIDAY which means it is virtual gardening clinic day.  today, we are going to talk about the importance of having a plan (and sticking to it) before the planting begins.  winging it in the garden is not a good idea.   things will either not grow, maintenance will be a b*tch, or you will have way too much to harvest.  in short, taking the time to plan will set you up for success and allow you to reap the rewards of your garden.  and make you not want to kill.

1. decide what you want to grow based on your eating habits
we eat at home 5-6 nights a week and 40% our grocery budget is devoted to produce.  during the growing season, we eat very seasonally to cut down on our vegetable buying.  however, some folks are busier than others and only eat at home 3 nights a week. some folks hate all veggies except salad greens and home grown tomatoes.  only grow what you like, want to try, and/or are going to use.  if only like a couple of zucchinis a year, don't grow them...they are big producers and you're going to be veggie bombing your neighbors in the middle of the night. buy them at the market.  they are practically free.  on the other hand, if you love them and have freezer space...you can always shred or chop them up and freeze them.  always choose one variety that expands your horizons.  variety is the spice of life. 

2. what's your commitment style?
decide what kind of garden you want to commit to.  some neighborhoods have strict covenant agreements that do not allow their residents to just dig up a garden.  fencing can be pretty pricey and is necessary to keep critters out.  maybe your yard isn't huge.  or your dog is an asshole and will dig the garden up.  perhaps a lot of the veggies you have chosen to grow are root veggies and would do better in the ground.  whatever your situation is...do a bit of research, or ask us, to decide which type of garden will work best for you.  container gardens are nearly maintenance free and can grow almost anything.  if you would rather go with an "in the ground garden"...go with raised beds.  they allow you to amend your soil, till very deeply, and make maintenance much easier.  deciding now will allow you to work on gathering your garden materials and getting them prepared for planting.  also, knowing what and how much you are going to plant will help you know what type and size of garden you need.

3. timing
once you settle on what to plant, you will need to know when to plant them.  some vegs love cool weather and will fry in the sun. and some need to be planted early to have time to produce.  much like me.  others hate cool weather and will do nothing when it is cold.  much like mike. i kid. kinda.
so here is a basic guide:
cool weather: kale, chard, beets, carrots, radishes, most lettuces, spinach, potatoes, brassicas (cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussels), peas, turnips, parsnips, asparagus, onions, garlic,  rosemary, thyme, parsley, tarragon, oregano, marjoram, lavender, arugula, kohlrabi
warm weather: beans, tomatoes, eggplant, cukes, pumpkins, squash, melons, corn, dill, basil, cilantro

4. vitals
all seed packets, seed dealer websites, or plant markers will tell you the vitals of the produce you are hoping to grow.  once you know what you want to grow, go to your favorite seed dealer website and read about the veggies.  they will tell you what kind of dirt you need, what type of "producer" it is, sun & water requirements, spacing needs, and how long you will have to wait to eat the goods.  these vitals are pretty dead on, so unless experience tells you differently, follow their directions.

5. location
you are going to need sun, soil, and water to grow your food.  whatever type of garden you have you are going to typically need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight.  you will need to be able to water it easily and efficiently at least 3 times a weeks and up to twice a day. your soil needs to be fertile.  we will talk more about soil at another time. but, in the meantime, you can pick your location now based on where you get the most sun.
.....
homework:

• take a moment this week to analyze your family's buying, cooking, and eating habits to help you decide what you would like to grow.
• think about how much time you really have or want to devote to growing food
• look around and choose a sunny place

this is an example of a ginormous garden and raised beds.  

next week:
we will talk more in depth about different produce varieties: where they grow best, how long they take to grow, weather they grow best from seed or plant, how much you can expect to harvest, preservation options, and when you can plant them.

put it in a......

pinterest is like porn for a gardener right now.  everyone is pinning garden ideas, tips, and pictures of beautiful containers growing beautiful food.  my experience tells me some of these ideas will actually grow food.  some won't.  my experience also tells me that it is february...and my don't we have big plans in february.  we still have big plans in april, may, and june when we are planting.  then july and august come with their oppressive heat, giant mosquitoes, and vacation plans.  and the garden of our dreams is in the weeds. literally.  so let us take a tour of some these beautiful pinterest ideas and see what works, shall we?
....
theme gardens...i am a big fan.  especially for the kiddos.  who doesn't like a pizza garden with eggplant,basil, tomatoes, oregano, and peppers.  but this. THIS is genius. i present to you: the BLOODY MARY GARDEN.  container theme gardens are great and totally doable. just be sure to plant in containers large enough and if growing tomatoes...try sticking with "bush varieties" they usually stop at about 3 feet or cherry tomatoes that vine. also a bigger container will require less watering.

found on sunset via pinterest

gutter gardens!! i absolutely love the idea and the design of these gardens.  they would be wonderful for greens, green onions, and smaller type veggies.  my concern is how they are attached to the side of the house.  i believe they are attached by screwing into the house.  since, you are going to have to water your veggies and a lot because of the small size...i am afraid you are going to cause water damage to your house.  unless, there is a way to water seal your house...i would not recommend this type of container gardening, sadly.

found on lifehacker via pinterest


hanging baskets are beautiful, but have you considered growing your daily salad in one?   greens, cherry tomatoes, herbs, sweet peas, mini cucumbers, and strawberries are all wonderful options. wire baskets with moss liners or the moist, loose moss are your best options and you want to take into account the weight of your container once all the soil, water, and plants are in it when deciding where to hang it.  also, hanging containers are going to require daily (sometimes 2x a day) watering. they are great and  it is easy to bring them inside if frost is imminent.  as in any type of gardening, planning out your hanging basket before planting will ensure a beautiful and bountiful basket.

found at myhangingbaskets via pinterest



it was bound to happen...the pallet garden.  pallets are also everywhere on pinterest.  i happen to have about 14 pallets waiting for a home.  perhaps, i will put some to use doing this cute container garden.  pallets will really only work for herbs and flowers.  just cover three sides with landscape fabric (using a staple gun), fill with potting soil, and plant.  be sure to allow your pallet to lay flat for a couple of days to ensure the plants get settled and don't fall out.  again, daily watering will be neccessary.  i think this is super cute and doable.  you could even paint ot decorate it.  perfect for someone who really just wants herbs.

found on greenupgrader via pinterest

.....

as i mentioned last week, i believe that anyone can grow food. and i believe that is where the real food movement should be.  over the next few weeks, until the planting & growing season begin, i am going to hold a virtual gardening clinic here every friday.  after i share what i know...i will then feature your questions and your gardens on here.  let's help each other become better growers and better eaters.
so every week you can check here on friday for tips, how to, recipes, ways to preserve your bounty, and innovative ideas for your garden.  i will be your guide in getting you set up with first garden or helping hone your skills.  you can be your own grower.  and, yes, we will talk A LOT about container gardening. so if you want to grow food and you live an house or an apartment with a sunny spot...check here on fridays for gardening clinic.

food is food is food

pretty sure we can all agree that food is a basic human need, right? i think the confusion comes when we all are trying to figure out what kind of food people in need deserve or really need. i come from the school of thought that basic pantry staples, fresh produce, and proteins should be available to everyone. also realizing that if you are homeless, a sandwich or pop-top style can of soup may be the way to go. however, i am also pretty sure that if you are the working poor-person in need shopping at one of the biggest pantries in town that you would appreciate arugula donated by one of the biggest grocery stores in the nation or the lump crab meat or the saffron donated by another donor. all this along with the rice, pasta, canned tomato sauce, tortillas, eggs, and ground beef. what? are you in disbelief that there is arugula at a food pantry? why? since when did certain food become too good for others. and why? anyone could grow arugula in a pot for less than $5 and have it to harvest for most of the spring and fall. in the summer they could plant some heat-tolerant lettuce or put up a shade. so why is some food reserved for the people who can "appreciate" its' flavor? because it should not be.
the school of thought where basic pantry staples, fresh (or frozen) produce, and proteins should be available at a food pantry comes from the belief and knowledge that this is the healthiest, cheapest, most efficient way for people to feed themselves. just as the ability to cook for yourself is, often times, the healthiest, the cheapest, most efficient way to eat. sure it takes some planning and knowledge...but like anything, i suppose, you have to want to do it. and more and more, i believe people do. i just think a lot of people are completely alienated and have been led to believe that they can't. just as the food network and celebrity chefs have somehow convinced people that cooking is hard...foodies have made gardening seem like a magical thing only hippies can pull off.
i say anyone can grow food because they can. my son, two at the time, was growing spicy mesculan greens in an old wine box last year. i am not saying anyone can grow food on a large scale because they can't...but pretty much anyone can get some pots or buckets or barrels, fill it with dirt, put some seed or starter plants in the dirt...and voila! you can have some fresh, local produce. sure you will have to water it, but the maintenance on container gardening is practically zilch compared to tilled plots in your yard. and not everyone has a yard. some people have a patio, stoop, or tiny, sunny spot by their parking space. regardless, anyone can grow food. in container gardening, a person would have to spend about 30 mins total a week weeding and watering. tops. while, you can't grow melons or squash/pumpkins very well in a container pretty much anything else goes. so why do people wait in line at the farmer's market for 20 minutes to pay $10/lb. for greens? who knows? but i am starting to think all this local food movement business is becoming a little too out of reach for the average "2 parents working" family trying to make healthy changes, the working poor folks, the single parent, or even the hipster college student. the real movement should lie in helping people grow and prepare their own food. not in villainizing every single thing that who knows who decides is not good enough for human consumption because when we do that we alienate a huge group of people who could really benefit from a true local food movement. food elitists are alienating to a large group of people who don't feel like they know enough or care enough about food, but want to make better choices. people who don't feel like they have enough time to shop local and cook. we should be helping everyone be their own grower, their own cook because when we empower people with this knowledge they will make better choices for themselves, their families, their community, their local economy, their environment. this is the way to make having a garden and eating dinner as a family the norm. for everyone.
farmer's markets are great because they give us access to growers and their delicious food. local food is wonderful because it tastes better, often has a higher nutritional content, creates jobs, keeps dollars in our community, and the list goes on. but not everyone can get to a farmer's market to buy local food. most folks have bigger issues happening then worrying about how to afford veggies or knowing where the eff the veggie came from. and when people throw out phrases like food desert and sustainable in the same breath...there is no problem miraculously solved. there is just a whole other group of people alienated. that doesn't mean folks don't want fresh, local produce or don't want to learn how to grow and/or prepare them. it just means it has been made to seem so unattainable and in a lot of ways it IS. so i am over it. i want to figure out ways to bring the local food movement to all of the people in our community. the families who want to grow a garden, but don't feel like they have time. the single parents who can't imagine adding one more thing to their "to-do" lists. the busy couple who only eats in 3 times a week, loves veggies, but never makes it to the markets. i want to do this in a variety of ways including aiding people in being their own grower and their own chef. there is an immense pride and empowerment that comes with picking your own sweet pepper and serving stuffed peppers for dinner. all in the same day. and along with it, eventually, a preference and appreciation for the home grown, home cooked food.
let us rise up and grow something. let us cook something. let us stop being food snobs. let us just let food be what it is...food. and everyone has the right to food. everyone can grow something. they just need guidance.

wedding nesting

mike and i finally were married last friday, january 20.  it was an evening filled with the people we love showing us their love for us.   the weeks and THE week leading up to the big " i do" were mostly stress free and fun until we all caught a cold (weird, i know. we NEVER catch colds. insert sarcasm here) and then it wasn't so fun.  apparently, this how it works for every bride.  not the catching a cold but the not so fun part.  i find this completely ridiculous. 
.....
the most important things to say about our wedding and marriage so far are...

• our family + friends are amazing people.  words will never fully express the amount of gratitude we feel towards them.
• i love being married and love my husband.
• hendrix is a ham and should never have juice.
• our wedding was wonderful and was made greater by everyone there.

see what i meant about hendrix being a ham?  he was a total nutball the whole wedding. it was his party too. (whoops! all photos by cami rawlings of hurricane camille photography.)
.....
after a week of recovery, i finally feel like cleaning, organizing, nesting, and planning.  the whole house went to hell while i was crafting for the wedding.  i am going through every room and filling tubs with the stuff that doesn't belong there...for instance, why did i have two drills, 5 gallons of birdseed, and 5 egg cartons on top of the fridge? good lord.  i am also having dreams about spring and gardening.  pinterest isn't helping.  mike is continuing to clear out the overgrown brush and it is making gardens dance in my head.  i am considering doing more container gardening this year.  it is much easier to maintain and i am hoping to be busy growing a human come summer.  also, our town may be adding a community garden and i hope to be able to help with that...in addition, to consulting* home gardeners.  is everyone still organizing and feeling refreshed about a new year? who is busy planning their 2012 gardens?
*only i will be consulting this season and i still have a few spots available.  email me for more information or leave a comment below. xo!

are your plants in the ground!?!

there is an old adage that says wait until mother's day to plant.  most gardeners i know abide by this.  i guess we do to certain degree, as well.  i sent an email out to the subscribers last week informing them about our consultation services.  so for those of you still planning. . .send us an email.  clementine's will come out and help you plan the vegetable garden of your dreams or tell what perennials to plant where or whatever you need.  all of us have a ton of experience and would love to help you.  either myself, anna, or caitie, our operations assistant, will come out, talk with you about your experience and needs, draw up a plan, and give you tips.  initial consults are $40.  additional work is available at $10/hour.  we love to work with kids and families, too.  email clementinespandp@gmail.com